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DECEMBER 27, 2005 at 2:35 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Editor's Note: This was a commentary (opinion piece) published in 2005. The official release date for book 7 has now been announced (and I was only two weeks off!). You can pre-order it now as well.
Harry Potter 7 will be released July 7, 2007.
At least, it should be. While this date has no doubt already crossed the minds of many fans, JK Rowling's recent revelation that "2006 will be the year" she writes the final book lends itself entirely to this theory.
That, and it is the biggest stroke of magical marketing luck so far this century. The book simply can't not be released on 07/07/07. It's too perfect.
It just so happens that July 7, 2007 is a Saturday. It just so happens that every Potter book since Goblet of Fire has been released on a Saturday (presumably to allow kids and their parents to attend those midnight release parties without undue hardship). It just so happens that July 7 falls right in the traditional June-July release window during which the other books were released. (Finally, while less relevant but still interesting, 12:00 a.m. on Saturday will be 7 p.m. Friday in the U.S., where the most Potter books have been sold to date. Fans on the east coast, already lined up to buy their copies, will see book 7 released across the pond at 7 p.m. local time - what a coincidence.)
Rowling has hinted at the significance of the number 7
, most recently in August when her official site's Wizard of the Month was an arithmancer who discovered the number's magical properties. In Half-Blood Prince, it was revealed that Lord Voldemort had made seven horcruxes (himself included). Quidditch teams have seven players each. Gryffindor Tower's entrance is on the seventh floor at Hogwarts. The list goes on and on.
I can see it now: the biggest marketing campaign in the history of publishing, with one very short, very simple, very effective message: Book 7. 07/07/07. Woe betide the marketing departments at Bloomsbury and Scholastic if they don't clinch what's obviously the most perfect storm of circumstance, desire, product and marketing the world may ever know.
Not that the book needs to be released on any specific date, though. As one of the planet's most successful authors, Rowling probably has the luxury of turning in a manuscript no sooner than when she sees fit. Fans will line up when told to. And it's up to her editors and publishers to polish, prepare and print it. One last consideration, from a business standpoint, is to ask if it makes sense to bump up against the next movie's release (and Order of the Phoenix will be in theatres July 13, 2007). Unfortunately, July 7 will also be the two-year anniversary of the London terrorist bombings (thanks to a reader for pointing that out).
No true fan would begrudge Jo for taking her time. But I must wonder if she also feels this coincidental "aligning of the fates" is something special, something magical, something to take advantage of. As a fan, I can only hope she does.
I also hope Jo doesn't find this speculation absurdly presumptuous. I hope she realizes it's our duty to poke and prod and ask and beg and whine and plead. How would that be any different from the last five years?
We certainly wouldn't want to disappoint her.
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Student
Points: 272
StaceyV2220 says:
I don't want to wait that long, but that would be cool. However, dates cannot be preordained because it all depends on when she finishes writing and how long it takes to edit. I commend JKR on her dedication to her children. However, we all know that if she has another, we may have to wait even longer.
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 10:17 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1457
Lexii*Chiita says:
I can't believe it...I've been waiting to hear about the 7th book...I wonder what's the title of the book is...Harry Potter and..........:D:D:D...I know that it going to be the best...because as the book goes on, it gets better every book...:D:D:D...I can't wait to read it...:D:D:D
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 10:25 PM EST
Student
Points: 248
barty'smistress says:
I think that is so cool. But what is the name of it?
Posted Jan 14, 2006 at 7:26 AM EST
Witch
Points: 668
Lilya says:
Ow, I sure hope that's true, that would be so cool! That'd be on my birthday! 070707, I like the number! Two good things on one day, book 7 in stores (possibly) and my turning 18!
Posted Jan 14, 2006 at 8:37 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
It would be realy cool if the 7th book was released on 07/07/07.
I can't wait untill it comes out I want to see what will happen!
Posted Jan 14, 2006 at 6:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2624
ravenmadluna says:
That would be pretty darn cool if the book came out on that date :) Yep, definitly a good pick! Alot of the book really does have to do with seven, that sneaky JK has been delaying her writing this whole time just to release her final book on that day!
Posted Jan 14, 2006 at 7:39 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 329
Mclay19 says:
Very interesting theory. I am pretty sure Jo knows about this incredible coincidence, but I am sure she is going to steel herself and take her time with this. I would rather have a quality final book than something that felt rushed if she got her book finished in on time for the 7/07/07 date. It could probably take her 2 years to write the final book, we never know. At least she has the final chapter up and has a plot plan to guide her through the writing process.
Posted Jan 14, 2006 at 11:03 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 5
xPsychoticx says:
Although the whole 7 thing is kinda cool... i really dont wanna wait SO LONG....
Posted Jan 15, 2006 at 11:26 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 5
xPsychoticx says:
Although the whole 7 thing is kinda cool... i really dont wanna wait SO LONG....
Posted Jan 15, 2006 at 11:27 PM EST
Student
Points: 277
Radcliffe's Girl says:
I think that Rowling should release the book on the date 07/07/07 not only will her name be remembered as one of the most successful authors known but also the book itself will be remembered as one of the most magical books ever written and released!
Posted Jan 16, 2006 at 12:42 AM EST
Points: 5
gogirl619 says:
radcliffe's girl - jkr will be remembered as one of the most successful authors (if not the most) and the books will be remembered as some of the most magical (if not the most) books every written and released no matter what date she releases it on..anyway, I CANT WAIT!
also, i cant find proff, so if anyone can..is a persons patronus and would be animagus form the same? (ie harry would be a stag, dumbldore a phoenix etc)
Posted Jan 16, 2006 at 9:19 AM EST
Student
Points: 214
10² says:
The 7/07/07 would be too perfect! i have thought about the number 7 idea, 7 is the magic number :D I hope she doesnt make us wait that long though!
Posted Jan 16, 2006 at 3:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 624
A Wild Jessticulator says:
Whoa! That would be really awesome if she were to do that!
I mean, it all does add up with the whole "significance of seven" thing.
That would be really cool, and also a very good idea on J.K.Rowling's part.
Posted Jan 16, 2006 at 3:53 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 366
bigpun7777 says:
On 7-7-07 comes the 7th book, and 7 is the powerfullst number in the wizard world, so this book must be perfect!!!
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 6:57 AM EST
Student
Points: 211
Regulus_Alphard says:
If the seventh book of the series will be released on the 07/07-07 it will all seem just to perfect!! witch makes it so awesome! Its a long time to wait,tough,but I can handle to wait. I only hope its more actionfilled and with more love than the previous books.
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 8:45 AM EST
Student
Points: 273
the_5th_element says:
There couldn't be a more perfect date. I hope it will become true.
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 4:09 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1086
DRU587 says:
Sure is an interesting theory. I honestly can't believe people already figured this out. That takes a lot of looking ahead and whatnot. But congrats to whoever did. Publishing the book on 07/07/07 would make it even more magical and would definitely the best piece of magical marketing to be seen in a long, long time.
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 4:14 PM EST
Student
Points: 273
the_5th_element says:
I just thought of something else. It would be cool to have 777 pages in the book. (Even though I'd love for it to be longer obviously)
Anyway here are some interesting facts about 7 that I found on wikipedia:
In astronomy,
The number of objects in the solar system visible to the naked eye, the classical "planets" (Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Sun). A fact that is believed to have led to the concept of seven days of the week.
In religion
A highly symbolic number in the Hebrew Bible, being, for example, the day on which God rested in Genesis
The number of ayat in surat al-Fatiha
The number of heavens in Islamic tradition
The number of Earths in Islamic tradition
The number of the Deadly Sins: lust, avarice, envy, pride, sloth, gluttony and wrath
The seven terraces of Mount Purgatory (one per deadly sin)
The number of sacraments in the Roman Catholic faith
Considered the usual number for a witches' coven
The number of palms in an Egyptian Sacred Cubit
The number of heads of the beast of the book of Revelation, and of some other monsters, like the hydra
The minor symbol number of yang from the Taoist yin-yang.
The number of times Cain will be avenged upon for the murder of his brother Abel.
Seven is also:
The maximum amount of times that you can fold a sheet of paper in half
The largest number of sticks (or other cylindrical objects) that can be tied into a bundle such that the shape of the bundle remains fixed. This may have led to the number being viewed with mystical significance by ancient man.
The number of openings into the human head (mouth, two eyes, two ears, two nostrils).
In Galician folklore, the seventh son will be a werewolf. In other folklores, after six daughters, the seventh child is to be a son and a werewolf. In other European folklores, the seventh son of a seventh son will be a vampire.
Hope you enjoyed the little history lesson, haha. You can check out the whole page here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 4:29 PM EST
Loose Canon
Points: 3411
JustHarry says:
I don't know about that, Chees*er. While I agree that this 7-7-07 release date for the 7th book where Harry must find and defeat 7 Horcruxes is simply too delicious to pass up PR-wise, it just so happens that this date coincides with with Underground bombings in the UK. While the 7-7-07 date might have been JKR's own choice pre-bombings, I would think she, and other Brits, might now have a very different perspective on this now-solemn date.
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 8:07 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 42
Professor Padfoot says:
I can't wait that long, but that cool to know.
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 9:51 PM EST
Student
Points: 209
Gemma Gobstone says:
aaaaaaaaah! soo excited for book seven! yayay! I think it is a brilliant idea for book seven to come out on 7/7/07!
Posted Jan 18, 2006 at 2:00 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 17
Princess Dumbledore says:
Yeah it would be an interesting date (also would be sad to wait that long) hey maybe OotP could be released on harrys birthday make that month evan better!
Posted Jan 18, 2006 at 2:30 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1454
xMAVERICK says:
OHH GEEZ! it would be awesome she has this thing about the number seven "lucky seven" but i guess it has worked for her.... i just can't wait that long i mean ... i love the books! but i suppose it would be pretty cool to go get the book on 7/7/07 :)
Posted Jan 18, 2006 at 6:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 699
Toph Rox!!! says:
It's cool that you went into it that far. I guess we all have to find something to do while we're going insane waiting for the last book in the series. And it would be a really good day to release. (I sure hope that I don't have to wait any longer than that)
Posted Jan 18, 2006 at 7:15 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 776
The Third Eye says:
It be really really cool if that was true, I mean it just seems like was meant to be. The 7th book no the 7th day of the 7th month of 2007. All Hail 7!
Posted Jan 19, 2006 at 1:14 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1077
ymn11 says:
It's very interesting to see the connection between the number 7's in harry potter. I hope the release date is exactly what it says above.
Posted Jan 19, 2006 at 5:21 PM EST
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